Seat subportion adjustable in relative height and/or angle and backrest adjustable in shape based on user contact pressure

ABSTRACT

A seat of an apparatus in one example comprises a front subportion and a rear subportion that is adjustable in height and/or angle relative to the front subportion. A backrest of the apparatus in one example is adjustable in shape. Based on a user contact pressure against one or more portions of the seat and/or one or more portions of the backrest, the rear subportion of the seat and the backrest are adjustable between: a first height and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat and a first shape of the backrest; and a second height and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat and a second shape of the backrest.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to seats and backrests and moreparticularly to adjustment of seats and backrests.

BACKGROUND

People with occupations that require long periods of sitting and peoplewho use wheelchairs are often affected by low back pain, poor bloodcirculation of the lower body, and pressure sores. Low back painassociated with extended sitting is likely caused by poor sittingposture which flattens the natural curvature of the spine and increasesthe stress on back muscles. Sitting related pressure sores are primarilycaused by concentrated pressure on a posterior area of a hip bone, forexample, ischial tuberosities or coccyx, of a person who sitsextensively. This concentration of pressure can cause ischial or coccyxpressure sores over time. Adjustment of the seating position of the userto redistribute contact pressure of the user promotes an increase inblood circulation, a reduction in risk of pressure sores, and a promotedhealing process of established pressure sores.

Users are advised that during extended sitting they should occasionallyperform “push-ups” in their chair to adjust their seating position andreduce contact pressure that may otherwise cause pressure sores. Usersof wheelchairs may have a disability or lack strength that prevents themfrom performing the push-up or adjusting their seating positionthemselves. They may also be unable to notice when poor circulation andsustained elevated pressures give rise to pressure sores.

Thus, a need exists for a seat and backrest that promote an increase incirculation. A further need exists for the seat and backrest to promotea reduction in contact pressure build-up for a user. A still furtherneed exists for the seat and backrest to promote a restoration of thenatural curvature of the spine for the user. Another need exists for theseat and backrest to promote a reduction in stress of the back musclesof the user. Yet another need exists for the seat and backrest topromote comfort for the user over extended periods of sitting.

SUMMARY

The invention in one implementation encompasses an apparatus. Theapparatus comprises a seat and a backrest. The seat comprises a frontsubportion and a rear subportion that is adjustable in height and/orangle relative to the front subportion. The backrest is adjustable inshape. Based on a user contact pressure against one or more portions ofthe seat and/or one or more portions of the backrest, the rearsubportion of the seat and the backrest are adjustable between: a firstheight and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat and a first shapeof the backrest; and a second height and/or angle of the rear subportionof the seat and a second shape of the backrest.

Another implementation of the invention encompasses a method. A backrestis adjusted between a first shape and a second shape based on a usercontact pressure against one or more portions of the backrest and/or oneor more portions of a seat. A rear subportion of the seat is adjustedbetween a first height and/or angle and a second height and/or anglerelative to a front subportion of the seat based on the user contactpressure against the one or more portions of the backrest and/or the oneor more portions of the seat.

A further implementation of the invention encompasses an article. Thearticle comprises one or more computer-readable signal-bearing media.The article includes means in the one or more media for adjusting abackrest between a first shape and a second shape based on a usercontact pressure against one or more portions of the backrest and/or oneor more portions of a seat. The article includes means in the one ormore media for adjusting a rear subportion of the seat between a firstheight and/or angle and a second height and/or angle relative to a frontsubportion of the seat based on the user contact pressure against theone or more portions of the backrest and/or the one or more portions ofthe seat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of exemplary implementations of the invention will becomeapparent from the description, the claims, and the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of one implementation of an apparatus thatcomprises a seat, a backrest, a leg support, and a control component.

FIG. 2 is a representation of another implementation of the apparatus ofFIG. 1, illustrating a rear subportion of the seat in an angledposition.

FIG. 3 is a representation of yet another implementation of theapparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating the rear subportion of the seat in alowered position.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a further implementation of the apparatusof FIG. 1 where the rear subportion of the seat comprises an airbladder, illustrating a state in which the air bladder is inflated.

FIG. 5 is a representation of the implementation of the apparatus ofFIG. 4, further illustrating a state in which the air bladder isdeflated.

FIG. 6 is a top representation of the backrest of FIG. 1 where thebackrest comprises one or more side bolsters with one or more airbladders, illustrating the air bladders in an inflated state.

FIG. 7 is a top representation of the implementation of the apparatus ofFIG. 6, illustrating the air bladders of the backrest in a deflatedstate.

FIG. 8 is a representation of a still further implementation of theapparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating suspension components of the backrest.

FIG. 9 is a representation of another implementation of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 where the rear subportion of the seat comprises an air bladder,illustrating a state in which the air bladder is inflated.

FIG. 10 is a representation of the implementation of the apparatus ofFIG. 9, further illustrating a state in which the air bladder isdeflated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 in one example comprises one or moreof a seat 102, a backrest 104, a leg support 106, and/or one or morecontrol components 108. The seat 102 comprises a rear subportion 110 anda front subportion 112. The rear subportion 110 provides ischial supportto a user (not shown). For example, the rear subportion 110 providessupport to a posterior area of the user's buttocks. The rear subportion110 in one example is adjustable in angle relative to the frontsubportion 112. For example, the rear subportion 110 can be tiltedupward and/or downward about an axis 202 (FIG. 2) across an angle 204(FIG. 2). The rear subportion 110 in another example is adjustable inheight relative to the front subportion 112. For example, the rearsubportion 110 can be raised or lowered along a direction 302 (FIG. 3).In a further example, the rear subportion 110 both raises and lowersalong the direction 302 and tilts about the axis 202. The rearsubportion 110 in one example comprises one or more input components120, as described herein. The seat 102, backrest 104, and leg support106 in one example comprise a portion of a chair, wheelchair, and/or carseat.

The front subportion 112 provides thigh support to the user. The frontsubportion 112 in one example is adjustable across the angle 204 and/oran angle 118 relative to the rear subportion 110 and/or the leg support106. The front subportion 112 in one example comprises one or more inputcomponents 120, as described herein.

The leg support 106 in one example comprises a foot support 117. The legsupport 106 and/or the foot support 117 provide support for the legsand/or feet of the user. The leg support 106 in one example isadjustable in height and/or angle relative to the seat 102. The legsupport 106 in one example pivots about an axis 210 to change the kneeangle 118 of the user, for example, between approximately ninety degreesand twenty degrees. A change in the knee angle 118 of the user promotesa change in distribution of weight of the user against the seat 102. Forexample, reducing the knee angle 118 (i.e. raising the feet of the user)reduces a peak contact pressure of the user against the seat 102, aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

One or more of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support106 in one example comprise one or more input components 120, forexample, contact pressure sensors, air pressure sensors, temperaturesensors, accelerometers, and/or clocks inputs. In one example, the seat102, the backrest 104, and the leg support 106 comprise one or morecontact pressure sensors. The contact pressure sensors provide a contactpressure against the seat 102 and/or backrest 104, for example, acontact pressure due to the user. Contact pressure sensors may also belocated on a surface of an air bladder 205 (FIG. 2). In another example,the seat 102 and/or the backrest 104 comprise air pressure sensors forthe air bladder 205. For example, the air pressure sensors measure thepressure within the air bladder 205. In yet another example, the seat102 and the backrest 104 comprise one or more temperature sensors. Thetemperature sensors measure a dermal temperature of the user. The seat102 and/or the backrest 104 in one example comprise accelerometers formeasuring a vibration of the seat 102 and/or the backrest 104.

The control component 108 in one example is communicatively coupled withone or more of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support106. For example, the control component 108 signals one or more of theseat 102 and/or the backrest 104 to cause an adjustment of the seat 102and/or the backrest 104. The control component 108 in one example iscommunicatively coupled with one or more of the input components 120. Inone example, the control component 108 causes an adjustment of one ormore of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support 106 basedon a user contact pressure against the seat 102, the backrest 104,and/or the leg support 106. For example, the control component 108causes the adjustment to change an amount of ischial support provided tothe user and/or change a distribution of contact pressure of the user,as described herein. In a further example, the control component 108causes the adjustment of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the legsupport 106 based on one or more inputs from the input components 120.Exemplary inputs comprise the contact pressure of the user against oneor more portions of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the legsupport 106, the dermal temperature of the user, the vibration of theseat 102 and/or the backrest 104, and a clock input. The controlcomponent 108 in one example comprises an instance of a recordable datastorage medium 122, as described herein. The control component 108 inone example comprises a user interface screen for receiving manualinputs for adjustments from the user to position the seat 102, thebackrest 104, and/or the leg support 106.

To change the amount of ischial support provided to the user, thecontrol component 108 in one example adjusts the seat 102, the backrest104, and/or the leg support 106. For example, the control component 108adjusts the rear subportion 110 and/or the front subportion 112 to causea change in a distribution of contact pressure between the user and theseat 102 and/or the backrest 104. The control component 108 changes thedistribution of contact pressure to promote a reduction in pressuresores to the user, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Turning to FIG. 2, the rear subportion 110 in one example pivots aboutthe axis 202 to adjust the angle 204 of the rear subportion 110 relativeto the front subportion 112. The rear subportion 110 in one examplecomprises a hinge about the axis 202. The rear subportion 110 in oneexample comprises one or more of a lever arm, an electric motor, wormgear, jack, and/or a hydraulic system that cause the rear subportion 110to pivot about the axis 202. The rear subportion 110 pivots about theaxis 202, for example, between a position 114 and a position 206. In oneexample, the position 114 comprises a height of the rear subportion 110along the direction 302 that is substantially the same as a height ofthe front subportion 112 along the direction 302. In a further example,the position 114 comprises an angle 204 of the rear subportion 110 thatis substantially the same as an angle 204 of the front subportion 112.In the position 206, the angle 204 of the rear subportion 110 isapproximately between ten to seventy degrees. The position 206 providesless ischial support to the user than the position 114, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art.

Turning to FIG. 3, the rear subportion 110 in one example raises and/orlowers the height of the rear subportion 110 along the direction 302from the position 114 to a position 304. For example, the rearsubportion 110 lowers approximately three to ten centimeters along thedirection 302. The rear subportion 110 in one example comprises one ormore of a lever arm, an electric motor, worm gear, jack and/or ahydraulic system that cause the rear subportion 110 to raise and/orlower along the direction 302. The position 304 provides less ischialsupport to the user than the position 114, as will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Turning to FIGS. 4-5, the rear subportion 110 in one example comprisesone or more air bladders 205. The control component 108 in one examplesignals an air compressor to inflate and/or deflate the air bladders205. The air bladder 205 of FIG. 4 is inflated such that the rearsubportion 110 is in the position 114. The air bladder 205 of FIG. 5 isdeflated such that the rear subportion 110 is in a position 502. Theposition 502 in one example comprises a height of the rear subportion110 along the direction 302 approximately three to ten centimeters lowerthan the height of the front subportion 112 along the direction 302. Theposition 502 provides less ischial support to the user than the position114, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the backrest 104 is adjustable in shape. In oneexample, the backrest 104 comprises a shape 116 that provides supportfor the user sitting on the seat 102 with the backrest 104 in an uprightposition. In another example, the backrest 104 comprises a shape 208that provides increased lumbar support and stabilization of the pelvisfor the user. For example, the backrest 104 expands to the shape 208that is larger than the shape 116 to provide the increased lumbarsupport and stabilization of the pelvis. The backrest 104 in one examplecomprises one or more air bladders 205. For example, the air bladder 205inflates to expand the backrest 104 from the shape 116 to the shape 208.The air bladder 205 deflates to change the backrest 104 from the shape208 to the shape 116. In another example, the backrest 104 comprises oneor more of a lever arm, an electric motor, worm gear, jack, and/or ahydraulic system that cause the backrest 104 to expand and/or contractbetween the shapes 116 and 208.

Turning to FIGS. 6-7, the backrest 104 in one example comprises one ormore side bolsters 602. The side bolsters 602 provide lateral and/ortrunk support to the user. In a further example, the seat 102 and/or theleg support 106 comprise side bolsters 602 analogous to the backrest104. The side bolsters 602 in one example comprise one or more airbladders 205. For example, the air bladders 205 inflate to provideadditional lateral support to the user (FIG. 6), or deflate to reduceand/or remove lateral support (FIG. 7), as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

Turning to FIG. 8, the backrest 104 in one example comprises one or moresuspension components 802. The seat 102 and/or the leg support 106 inone example comprise suspension components 802 analogous to the backrest104. Exemplary suspension components 802 comprise springs or elastic,compressible, and/or flexible material. The suspension components 802 inone example suspend one or more portions of the backrest 104, forexample, the air bladder 205, within an aperture 804 of the backrest 104to allow the air bladder 205 of the backrest 104 to oscillate in one ormore directions. For example, the suspension components 802 allow theair bladder 205 to move with the spine of the user when the seat 102and/or backrest 104 are jolted by an external force, such as a car seatwhen moving down a bumpy road or a wheelchair over a cracked sidewalk.Oscillation of the air bladder 205 increases mobility of the user'sspine. For example, the suspension components 802 reduce whole-bodyvibration of the user, as will be appreciated by those skilled in theart.

Turning to FIGS. 9-10, another implementation of the rear subportion 110in one example comprises one or more air bladders 205. The controlcomponent 108 in one example signals an air compressor to inflate and/ordeflate the air bladders 205. The air bladder 205 of FIG. 9 is inflatedsuch that the rear subportion 110 is in the position 114. The airbladder 205 of FIG. 10 is deflated such that the rear subportion 110 isin a position 1002. In the position 1002, the angle 204 of the rearsubportion 110 is approximately between ten to seventy degrees. Theposition 1002 provides less ischial support to the user than theposition 114, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support 106 in oneexample comprise viscoelastic foam. The foam comprises a soft upperlayer on top of a firm lower layer to promote a damping of vibration ofthe user. The seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support 106 inone example comprise a fabric cover that promotes a reduction in shearforces between the user and the fabric cover, such as Rubatex® neoprene(RBX Industries, Inc., Roanoke, Va.,http://www.rubatex.com/industrial/rbx.html).

An illustrative description of exemplary operation of the apparatus 100is presented, for explanatory purposes. Referring to FIG. 1, the rearsubportion 110 is in the position 114. The backrest 104 is in the firstshape 116 to provide support to the user. The position 114 and the firstshape 116 comprise a first configuration. The user sits on the seat 102and against the backrest 104.

Once the user is seated, the control component 108 in one examplereceives inputs from the input components 120 and causes one or moreadjustments to one or more of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or theleg support 106 based on the inputs. The control component 108 in oneexample causes the adjustments to achieve a comfortable configurationand/or seating position for the user. In one example, the configurationpromotes an even distribution of a contact pressure of the user againstthe seat 102 and the backrest 104. In another example, the configurationpromotes a reduction in a peak contact pressure of the user against theseat 102 and the backrest 104. In yet another example, the configurationpromotes a pre-determined ratio of contact pressures of the user.

The control component 108 adjusts one or more of the seat 102, thebackrest 104, and/or the leg support 106 to a second configuration. Thesecond configuration in one example comprises one or more of thepositions 206, 304, 502, and/or 1002 of the rear subportion 110 and theshape 208 of the backrest 104. In a further example, the frontsubportion 112 tilts upward approximately zero to five degrees in thesecond configuration. The second configuration promotes a reduction incontact pressure of the ischial region of the user relative to the firstconfiguration, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The control component 108 makes a determination of when to adjustbetween the first configuration and the second configuration. Thecontrol component 108 makes the determination based on one or more ofthe dermal temperature of the user against the seat 102 and/or backrest104, the contact pressure of the user against the seat 102 and/orbackrest 104, an end of a pre-determined time interval, acceleration ofthe seat 102 and/or backrest 104, and/or an input from the user.

In one example, the control component 108 employs the input components120 to monitor the dermal temperature of the user. The input components120 measure one or more of a peak dermal temperature and/or an averagedermal temperature of the user. After a period of time sitting againstthe seat 102 and/or backrest 104, the dermal temperature of the userincreases. Once the dermal temperature of the user reaches apre-determined level, the control component 108 adjusts the seat 102and/or the backrest 104 between the first and second configuration, aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In another example, the control component 108 employs the inputcomponents 120 to monitor the contact pressure of the user. The inputcomponents 120 measure one or more of a peak pressure and/or an averagepressure of the user. After a period of time sitting against the seat102 and/or backrest 104, the user may become restless and fidget,causing changes in the contact pressure on the seat 102 and/or thebackrest 104. The control component 108 monitors changes in pressure andadjusts the seat 102 and/or the backrest 104 between the first andsecond configuration when the user fidgets. For example, if the usermakes several adjustments in seating position in a short time period,indicating discomfort, the control component 108 adjusts between thefirst and second configuration, as will be appreciated by those skilledin the art.

In yet another example, the control component 108 employ the inputcomponents 120 to determine an end of a pre-determined time interval.For example, the control component 108 employs a clock input to adjustbetween the first and second configuration every T minutes, where T isbetween five and twenty minutes. In a further example, the controlcomponent 108 employs one or more manual inputs from the user to adjustbetween the first and second configurations. For example, the userpresses a button or switch (not shown) to cause the adjustment betweenthe first and second configurations. The user may also adjust individualcomponents of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support 106through employment of the button or switch.

The control component 108 in one example adjusts the seat 102, thebackrest 104, and/or the leg support 106 in a pre-determined sequence.In one example for an adjustment from the first configuration to thesecond configuration, the control component 108 first adjusts thebackrest from the shape 116 to the shape 208. The control component 108then adjusts the rear subportion 110 from the position 114 to one ormore of the positions 206, 304, 502, and/or 1002. In another example foran adjustment from the second configuration to the first configuration,the control component 108 first adjusts the rear subportion 110 from oneor more of the positions 206, 304, 502, and/or 1002 to the position 114.The control component 108 then adjusts the backrest 104 from the shape208 to the shape 116.

Adjustments of the seat 102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support106 in one example occur over a pre-determined time interval. Forexample, the control component 108 gradually adjusts the backrest 104from the shape 116 to the shape 208 over a time interval of ten seconds.The control component 108 in one example causes adjustments of the seat102, the backrest 104, and/or the leg support 106 concurrently. Forexample, the control component 108 starts an adjustment of the backrest104 and, before completion of the adjustment of the backrest 104, startsan adjustment of the leg support 106, as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

The apparatus 100 in one example comprises a plurality of componentssuch as one or more of electronic components, hardware components, andcomputer software components. A number of such components can becombined or divided in the apparatus 100. An exemplary component of theapparatus 100 employs and/or comprises a set and/or series of computerinstructions written in or implemented with any of a number ofprogramming languages, as will be appreciated by those skilled in theart. The apparatus 100 in one example comprises any (e.g., horizontal,oblique, or vertical) orientation, with the description and figuresherein illustrating one exemplary orientation of the apparatus 100, forexplanatory purposes.

The apparatus 100 in one example employs one or more computer-readablesignal-bearing media. The computer-readable signal-bearing media storesoftware, firmware and/or assembly language for performing one or moreportions of one or more embodiments of the invention. An exemplarycomputer-readable signal-bearing medium for the apparatus 100 comprisesthe recordable data storage medium 122 of the control component 108. Thecomputer-readable signal-bearing medium for the apparatus 100 in oneexample comprise one or more of a magnetic, electrical, optical,biological, and atomic data storage medium. For example, thecomputer-readable signal-bearing medium comprise floppy disks, magnetictapes, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, hard disk drives, and electronic memory. Inanother example, the computer-readable signal-bearing medium comprises amodulated carrier signal transmitted over a network comprising orcoupled with the apparatus 100, for instance, one or more of a telephonenetwork, a direct connection via serial or parallel cable, a local areanetwork (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), the Internet, and awireless network.

The steps or operations described herein are just exemplary. There maybe many variations to these steps or operations without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed ina differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified.

Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depictedand described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions,and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope ofthe invention as defined in the following claims.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a seat that comprises a front subportionand a rear subportion that is adjustable in height and/or angle relativeto the front subportion; and a backrest that is adjustable in shape;wherein, based on a user contact pressure against one or more portionsof the seat and/or one or more portions of the backrest, the rearsubportion of the seat and the backrest are adjustable between: a firstheight and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat and a first shapeof the backrest; and a second height and/or angle of the rear subportionof the seat and a second shape of the backrest.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first height and/or angle of the rear subportion ofthe seat and a corresponding height and/or angle of the front subportionof the seat comprise a substantially same height and/or angle; whereinthe second height and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat is/areless than the corresponding height and/or angle of the front subportionof the seat.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, based on the usercontact pressure against the one or more portions of the seat and/or theone or more portions of the backrest, the rear subportion of the seat ispivotally adjustable between: the first angle of the rear subportion ofthe seat; and the second angle of the rear subportion of the seat;wherein, based on the user contact pressure against the one or moreportions of the seat and/or the one or more portions of the backrest,backrest is adjustable between: the first shape of the backrest; and thesecond shape of the backrest.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein therear subportion of the seat comprises one or more air bladders that areinflatable and/or deflatable to adjust between: the first height and/orangle of the rear subportion of the seat; and the second height and/orangle of the rear subportion of the seat.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein relatively different sizes of the first and second shapes of thebackrest serve to promote an increase in lumbar support for a user ofthe seat and/or backrest.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein thebackrest comprises one or more air bladders that are inflatable and/ordeflatable to adjust between the first and second shapes of thebackrest.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein one or more of the seatand/or the backrest comprise one or more side bolsters that serve toprovide lateral support to the user of the seat and/or backrest.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a control component thatcauses an adjustment of the rear subportion of the seat and/or thebackrest between: the first height and/or angle of the rear subportionof the seat and the first shape of the backrest; and the second heightand/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat and the second shape ofthe backrest.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control componentemploys one or more of a contact pressure sensors, air pressure sensors,temperature sensors, accelerometers, and/or clocks inputs to cause theadjustment of the rear subportion of the seat and/or the backrestbetween: the first height and/or angle of the rear subportion of theseat and the first shape of the backrest; and the second height and/orangle of the rear subportion of the seat and the second shape of thebackrest.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control componentemploys the user contact pressure against the seat and the backrest todetermine any one or more of: the first height and/or angle of the rearsubportion of the seat; the first shape of the backrest; the secondheight and/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat; and/or thesecond shape of the backrest.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein thecontrol component employs one or more ratios between any two of: a usercontact pressure against the rear subportion of the seat; a user contactpressure against the backrest; and/or a user contact pressure againstthe front subportion of the seat; wherein the control component employsthe one or more ratios to determine one or more of: the first heightand/or angle of the rear subportion of the seat; the first shape of thebackrest; the second height and/or angle of the rear subportion of theseat, and/or the second shape of the backrest.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the control component determines a duration of timebetween adjustments based on one or more dermal temperatures of the useragainst the seat and/or the backrest; wherein the control componentadjusts the seat and/or the backrest upon an end of the duration of timebetween adjustments.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controlcomponent makes a determination of an end of a pre-determined timeinterval; wherein the control component adjusts the seat and/or thebackrest upon the determination of the end of the pre-determined timeinterval.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backrest comprisesone or more suspension components that allow the backrest to oscillatein one or more directions to promote a reduction in movement of a userof the seat and/or backrest relative to the backrest.
 15. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising: a leg support that is adjustable inheight and/or angle relative to the front subportion of the seat;wherein, based on the user contact pressure against the one or moreportions of the seat and the one or more portions of the backrest and auser contact pressure against one or more portions of the leg support,the leg support is adjustable between: a first height and/or angle ofthe leg support that serves to support a knee of a user at a firstangle; a second height and/or angle of the leg support that serves tosupport the knee of the user at a second angle that is less than thefirst angle.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat and backrestcomprise one or more portions of a chair, wheelchair, and/or car seat.17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the seat and/orbackrest comprise a viscoelastic foam that promotes a reduction in wholebody vibration of a user of the seat and/or backrest; wherein one ormore of the seat and/or backrest comprise a neoprene fabric thatpromotes a reduction in shear force between the user and the seat and/orbackrest.
 18. A method, comprising the steps of: adjusting a backrestbetween a first shape and a second shape based on a user contactpressure against one or more portions of the backrest and/or one or moreportions of a seat; and adjusting a rear subportion of the seat betweena first height and/or angle and a second height and/or angle relative toa front subportion of the seat based on the user contact pressureagainst the one or more portions of the backrest and/or the one or moreportions of the seat.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising thesteps of: making a determination of an end of a pre-determined timeinterval; and adjusting the backrest between the first shape and thesecond shape and adjusting the rear subportion of the seat between thefirst height and/or angle and the second height and/or angle upon thedetermination of the end of the pre-determined time interval.
 20. Anarticle, comprising: one or more computer-readable signal-bearing media;means in the one or more media for adjusting a backrest between a firstshape and a second shape based on a user contact pressure against one ormore portions of the backrest and/or one or more portions of a seat; andmeans in the one or more media for adjusting a rear subportion of theseat between a first height and/or angle and a second height and/orangle relative to a front subportion of the seat based on the usercontact pressure against the one or more portions of the backrest and/orthe one or more portions of the seat.